This site provides many resources for math teachers of all grades and includes lesson plans, articles, classroom and administrator questions and answers, and helpful links - all located under the "helpful tool" tab at the top of the site. Click to find elementary resources, algebra, calculus, and other "basic math." Free webinars are also available within the site. Math Solutions was founded by Marilyn Burns, who is known as one of the foremost experts in elementary math instruction.
Although much of the website is devoted to materials and Professional Development for sale, there are many resources available for free that are extremely helpful for classroom teachers. One such resource is the classroom lessons portion. Lessons are in ready to print PDF format making them easy to review and use for planning. Sample classroom conversations are often included along with samples of student work and suggestions for use in the classroom. This site also sells many resource materials, so links to these materials are included for alternative resources within the lesson. No need to buy, however! Teachers can sign up to receive the free monthly newsletter containing information about new materials on the Math Solutions site.

In the Classroom

Take advantage of the free lesson plans; also search for plans in grades higher and lower that can be modified to meet your students' needs. Display student work included with the lesson plans on your interactive whiteboard or projector as conversation starters in your classroom - allow students to discuss other students' work to increase understanding of concepts.

This site has been created as a resource for 4th to 8th graders. A list of math concepts is offered with links to resources. Topics include whole numbers, decimals, data, fractions and many more. After choosing a topic such as whole numbers, you are linked to a comprehensive list of topics within that strand. Each topic includes a detailed explanation often including illustrations and examples. This site is virtually an online dictionary of math topics covered in 4th-8th grade.

In the Classroom

Display on the interactive whiteboard or projector when introducing or reviewing content in mathematics. Provide this link on your class website for students to use at home if they get confused on a particular math concept.

Find great math resources on this free site on countless topics. Click each resource to find sites useful on individual computers or projected on a whiteboard screen. Be sure to test out each interactive prior to using with a class, as some require Flash or other programs. Find great games about Numbers and Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Money. Be aware of the icons next to the resource for the required plug ins to use. click on an activity and then explore the tabs above. Click the "Learner" tab to view information about the topic. Click "Help" for information on how to use the activity. Find resources in the "Instructor" tab. There is a wealth of material here, so be sure to check it out!

In the Classroom

Use these resources for review and to reinforce concepts from class. Create teams of students who complete the activity taking turns on a whiteboard or with individual computers. Use the activity as a lead in to the topic of the day. Ask students what they notice about the activity and the general rules that they notice about the topic. Provide this link on your class website for students to use at home for extra practice, enrichment, or to try some new advanced topics.

This site, created by Houghton Mifflin, goes along with their Math Expressions series. The home page offers links for teachers, students, and families. The links for teachers and families offer PDF printables, lesson ideas, unit by unit information, a glossary (with audio) and more. The link for students offers online manipulatives, math glossary, interactive challenges, and much more. This is a great addition to your math program whether you use Math Expressions or not. Topics depend on grade level (K-5). Some topics include counters, base ten, fractions, decimals, money, and countless others. The Math Lingo game in the student area for each grade reinforces math vocabulary.

In the Classroom

If using this series, check your grade level for additional ideas to help struggling students or ones who need an extra challenge. List this link on your class website for parents and students to access both in and out of class. Even if you don't use this series, you will find a plethora of math interactives by clicking on the link for Students. Make a shortcut on your computers to the student activities for your grade level. Share some of the activities (and how to USE them) on your interactive whiteboard or projector before assigning students to work independently.

Practice math skills painlessly with this multi-level playground of interactive activities which coincides with the Houghton Mifflin Math textbooks. Students can select the appropriate grade level (K-6) and begin to explore the offerings - ranging from collections of virtual manipulatives to brainteasers to test-taking strategies. Most links (playground activities) bring up a list of topic areas to choose from. Even if you don't use Houghton-Mifflin in your classroom, this is a great resource for additional practice, interactives, and more.

In the Classroom

Share the virtual manipulatives on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Be sure to list this link on your class website for students to access both at home and in the classroom. If you are going to use this site as a math learning center, put direct shortcuts to activities on your computers. Have older students create their own brain teasers and share them on your class wiki. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through.

Houghton Mifflin's Kids page offers activities linked to textbook chapters (from Houghton Mifflin's Mathematics), brain teasers, and a section on test-taking strategies that features tips specific to math problems. Be aware some of the interactives require an older version of Shockwave. So test out the site before sharing it with your students.

In the Classroom

This site would be especially useful for teachers using the textbook, but the activities have general applicability as well. If you use this series, be sure to share this link on your class website for students to use at home for additional practice. All activities could be used in any elementary math class. Use your interactive whiteboard or projector to share a daily brainteaser appropriate for your grade level. Have students work with a partner to solve the brainteasers and create their own.

Math is Fun when you visit this website that is loaded with games, activities and much more! Math activities are divided into topics such as Algebra, Data, Games, Dictionaries, Worksheets, and more. After choosing a topic there are several choices for appropriate activities within the category. The teachers page has links to many virtual manipulatives, puzzles, speed math and other classroom activities. All activities contain an explanation and solution to the puzzle. Although this site may appear as another "drill and kill" site, is also has a lot of extra features and activities included. If you are a math teacher, this is definitely a site worth taking a look at.

In the Classroom

Use the teacher's page on the interactive whiteboard or projector to demonstrate math concepts such as symmetry, tessellations, and basic algebra concepts. Assign activities and games to students and let them become the expert in one topic. Use the illustrated math dictionary provided on the site as an example and create a class math dictionary of concepts learned. Have students share their new math term on the class wiki. Not comfortable with wikis? Have no wiki worries - check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through. This may also be a site that you want to include on your class website for students to use both in and out of the classroom.

This is your gateway to the authors, literature, grammar, math, world languages, science, and accompanying skills featured in your grade appropriate curriculums. Follow a few simple steps to find online resources full of information, guides, projects, assessments, and other interactive activities. You start by identifying the subject area you are searching for, then add in your state. A list of possible curricula are provided. Click on the textbook that your school uses and the site takes you to a wealth of information and activities.

Although this site is originally intended for McDougall Littell, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt book users, many of the various publishers include the same state recommended core works in their anthologies. Many of the teacher and student tools are only accessible to McDougall Littell/ Houghton/Mifflin Harcourt users; however there is an abundance of materials that do not require a log in. It is worth exploring!

In the Classroom

Use this site as an extension to your repertoire of literary works, including background information on authors, discussion starters, a variety of graphic organizers custom-tailored for different literary genres, or for motivational ideas. The available resources are flexible enough to use as a teacher-driven tool projected on the classroom whiteboard, or made available on your teacher web page for students to click on the questions they want to ask and get answers from the experts. This is especially valuable for remediation and review. Use the Language Network for grammar, usage and mechanics, writing workshops, practice SAT, ACT English, ACT Reading tests and more. Share this link on your class website for students to access at home.

Shmoop Pre-Algebra offers students an overview of basic operations, basic geometry, fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, probability, and algebra including terms and additional websites. Interactives follow many topic overviews. The easy user interface will make it a favorite for students, though it is text-heavy in places.

In the Classroom

Add the site to your classroom computers' favorites (and a link on your class website) for students to use from home or when they need to review pre-algebra topics. Use the games as a classroom activity on an interactive whiteboard to test student knowledge or to prepare for a test. Use the summaries yourself to help organize your presentation of the content. Students can create accounts on Shmoop to access more features, but the site is very useful even without an account.

Practice basic linear algebra with this interactive site where the players help scientists working at a nuclear generator. The scientists are impatient, so you have to be quick to solve the equations to guide the atoms through each machine on time. Be sure to check out the achievements section which provides information on math skills used at each level. There are some unobtrusive advertisements at this site. You can play without joining or register for a free, basic school account to save some scores.

In the Classroom

Have a team competition on the interactive whiteboard or projector and challenge students to move on to higher levels. Students who aren't playing will still be learning as they try to solve problems along with the players. Use the activity as an introduction to algebra skills included in the interactive, such as multiplying and dividing with negatives. Challenge students to come up with the formulas for multiplying and dividing negatives based on correct responses in the activity.

Mathwizz.com provides help with many math related topics ranging from arithmetic to decimals to financial math. Interactive calculators allow students to test their own knowledge. Brief lessons or descriptions provide simple explanantions to various concepts.

In the Classroom

Use this site as an informal assessment by having students complete a number of questions and then report their results to you. Many of the tests will require additional paper for solving problems. This activity would work well for individuals or pairs of students in a lab or on laptops, and would also be a great way to have a team competition as students use the site on an interactive whiteboard and try to solve problems.

The Common Core State Standards Initiative is a nationwide effort led by the National Governor's Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers to establish a common set of educational standards which aligns benchmarks and expectations across state lines. This system builds on what states are already doing by providing an opportunity to share experiences, best practices, and lessons, while maintaining high expectations that insure the quality of education across America to enable our students to maintain a competitive edge in the global economy.

Visit this website to find out exactly what the national K-12 standards are for English language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science and technology, as well as mathematics, and to find out if your state is one many states (at the time of this review) that have already committed to adopt the Common Core State Standards. Watch videos and the recorded webinar, and read about the key points and rigorous curriculum standards, including the content and skills related to the use of media and technology for critical analysis and production.

In the Classroom

Take a look at exemplars and sample performance tasks and students' writing to consider how you can integrate these ideas into your own planning to prepare students for the growing challenges of today's world. You can also sign up to receive updates via email.
For more information about the Common Core and implementing it in your classes, see TeachersFirst's Common Core: The Fuss Over Non-Fiction, a Q/A article for elementary teachers, and TeachersFirst's resources tagged Common Core for many helpful sites.

Math Play offers a wide variety of fun (and educational) interactives. Most activities are suitable for elementary and middle grades. They are organized by grade level, content, and game type. In addition to being kid-friendly and engaging, kids will enjoy the animation and bright colors. The advertisements are a bit of a distraction.

In the Classroom

A great website for a math game day due to the variety of concepts and levels. Use these activities as an informal assessment by observing students as they engage. Try using an interactive whiteboard to encourage friendly competition when students individual laptops are not available.

This site takes students through the history of the Abacus across various cultures and time periods in addition to showing how to use an abacus for calculating math problems. Students can follow directions to make their own abacus. Click to practice using an abacus to solve problems in addition, subtraction, square roots, cube roots, and more. Explore some of the artistic renditions of the abacus as inspiration for a visual-artistic math project.

In the Classroom

This site would appeal to gifted math students. Have students learn about the abacus and challenge them to find another influential math tool. Ask your students to create a multimedia presentation from the information or demonstrate the use of an abacus on an interactive whiteboard. Challenge students to create a video and share using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here). Have students compare and contrast math tools using an interactive whiteboard. Have groups compare two tools using a tool such as the "Interactive Two Circle Venn Diagram" (reviewed here).

In the Classroom

After introducing quadratic equations to students, have them participate in this webquest to deepen their understanding. Share the webquest on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Have students work in cooperative learning groups to complete the quest, or on individual laptops. Have students record their notes and follow up the webquest with a discussion to synthesize information. Create a class wiki about how to solve quadratic equations. Not comfortable with wikis? Check out the TeachersFirst's Wiki Walk-Through.

Online Math Learning is a huge website with numerous resources including interactive problem generators, a video library, worksheets, and links all organized by grade level and subject level. This site is very well organized, easy to use, and has something for every grade level and nearly every subject/topic area. Advise students to ignore the advertisements.

In the Classroom

Use the interactive section's problem generator to create team competition as students use the site on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Check out the videos to reach struggling students or help deepen understanding of concepts. For a project, have students recreate a video using a site such as SchoolTube (reviewed here) and share with classmates. Be sure to include this site on your class web page for students to access both in and outside of class for further practice.

Syracuse University developed several self-instructional tutorials to assist students who may need review of certain topics. The self-instructional tutorials provide detailed information on functional math like ratios, proportions, fractions, graphing, and percentages. Several tests allow students to see how math plays a role in other content areas. Even though tutorials were created for postsecondary learners, most of the skills and concepts are more than appropriate for high school students.

In the Classroom

Use this site to review foundational concepts in fractions, decimals, algebra, and graphing by introducing on an interactive whiteboard or projector. Students can then use the site independently as needed. Have students take the content area math tests to prepare them for math in other subjects like chemistry, psychology, and economics. Provide this link on your class website for students to use to practice outside of the classroom.

Math Run is a quick and easy way to practice simple math skills. Upon entering, press start and math sentences begin scrolling from the bottom of the screen. Choose if they are true or false by clicking the arrows. Be sure to read the directions on the main page. More sentences will scroll through. If you get the correct answer, the difficulty level will increase. You can increase speed as you play. The game is over if the math sentence reaches the top of the page. Each day's high scorers are displayed at the bottom of the page along with high scores from 7 and 30 days along with your personal high scores. Note that problems may include negative numbers, so some levels may not be appropriate for younger students.

In the Classroom

Use this site in your classroom as a motivator to increase fact accuracy by recording scores and challenging students to score higher each week. Challenge another classroom in your grade level to see which class can increase scores over a month's time. Assign this site as practice for increasing math fluency skills. Post weekly high scores on your class website, blog, or wiki. Be sure to provide this link on your class website for students to practice both in and out of the classroom.

This site is an interactive, collaborative project that uses Google maps with you and your students to provide content. You can also see Math maps created by others. By following the directions, you can create math problems utilizing information from your own city or town. Once the math problems are posted on the map, you can tweet or blog to inform others about them. In addition to creating problems, your students can view the contributions of others and solve real world math problems. Be aware: pop-up messages do appear across the bottom of the screen. These messages are recent posts to the site. Teachers who wish to contribute must submit a Gmail address to be offered access to add their own "Maths Maps." (Note to U.S. educators and students: What you know as "math" is known as "maths" in the UK, Australia, and some other countries. The "s" is NOT a typo!)

In the Classroom

What makes this site special is that the content comes directly from educators and students. Use the existing math problems as a challenge activity or to demonstrate how math can be used in the real world. Share the maps and math questions on your interactive whiteboard or projector. The different pin colors represent different age groups so you can choose appropriately leveled math problems. You can easily differentiate for individuals by telling them which color to explore. This site is a great way to get your students to learn more about their community. Have your students research a community spot and create a math problem about it as a class. Enter the information onto the map together or under teacher supervision for other classes all over the world to use. Allow students to explore on their own and keep a math log of all the problems they found and solved on a "trip around the world with math."

This interactive and entertaining site offers many opportunities for students to learn and discover a variety of math concepts including higher- level thinking skills. The visuals aide in teaching skills in a real-life way. Topics include equalities and inequalities, patterns relationships and functions, tessellation, Venn diagram, fractal tool, basic addition, estimation, transformations, and several others. Even the youngest of students will be able to do Algebra, follow multi-step directions and more. Instructions for each game are clearly given and students can progress in levels as they complete different stages. All games are research-based and are developed to teach math in fun and engaging ways. Most games also include learning objectives as the game is loading.

In the Classroom

When introducing the concepts of Algebra, display the "Pan Game" on your interactive whiteboard or projector. Challenge students to see if they can solve the problems. After students become comfortable with balancing the pan, introduce the term variables and apply this to what has already been learned through the activity. Reinforce math vocabulary through the use of the activities. After introducing the term "multiple" allow students to try "Sleeboz" to help develop speed with recognition of multiples and to reinforce the definition of multiple. Save this site in your favorites. You may also want to provide this link on your class website for students to use at home.